The College Blueprint Buzz

​Student Support Services on Campus

Colleges and universities are a student’s new ‘home away from home’, and as such, must provide comprehensive support to their student body. That support comes in many different forms and knowing what is available should be part of the research a family completes before selecting a college. Support may be of several types – academic support, health and wellness support, professional support, and social support. Applicants need to have an awareness of both who they are and what they need in order to be successful as independent college students. Don’t be blinded by the beautiful buildings, the exciting faculty, and the excellent facilities; look beyond the obvious and ask lots of questions about your options, should you need some help while enrolled.

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Waitlist Purgatory

​The dreaded waitlist. You weren’t rejected, but you weren’t accepted either. The waitlist means the college likes you well enough, they just don’t love you enough to accept you at this time. They want to keep you hanging on until they find out if they’re loved back by the students they did choose to accept.

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The Meaning of Fit

​Most of us have a few pairs of shoes in our closet – shoes for sports, church, the beach or the ballroom – and most of us have one or two pairs that we love and wear over and over. Why? Because they fit beautifully, look good, take us places, and bring us happiness. Fit is frequently referred to when speaking with students about choosing the ‘right’ college, and many of those same students are puzzled about what is the ‘right’ fit. So, as you gaze upon that favorite pair of shoes, let’s think through the puzzle.

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SAT vs ACT - Which Should You Take? -The redesign of the SAT in 2016 resulted in a test quite similar to the ACT. But how do they really compare and how can you determine which test is right for you?

Majoring in Astrophysics - Students strong in math and science with a passion for the universe may be interested in considering a major in astrophysics. Learn what types of careers you can aim for by studying this branch of astronomy.

Tax Benefits for Education - An education credit helps with the cost of higher education by reducing the amount of tax owed on your tax return. Here are two commonly available tax credits that families should check out.

Dare to Be Different - Great advice for college-bound students - learn how to stand out from the pack.

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Planning for Summer in the Dead of Winter - use our early planning ideas to insure a summer that is fun, rewarding and constructive.

Focus on Majors: Gerontology - with a rapidly aging population creating a rising demand for workers who understand the challenges of aging, this may be the perfect time for students to study gerontology.

College Loans - after exhausting need-based and merit scholarships, many families find they must borrow money to cover the remaining costs of college. Our guide to loans will help you determine what will be best for your family.

How to Handle a Deferral - This year's ED and EA pools have resulted in an especially high number of deferrals. If you are still interested in a college by which you were deferred, here are some Do’s and Don’ts...

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Majors, Minors & Concentrations - Let's start with some simple definitions of these academic terms, and then we’ll get into how to make them work for you as you complete your undergraduate degree.

Majors - Your major is defined as the primary area of study upon which you will focus during your college career. Typically, you don’t have to declare your major until the end of your second year. Anywhere from 1/3 to 2/3 of your classes will be with- in this area of study. Your major selection will appear on your official transcript. Coursework will move from introductory classes, through the intermediate level and then advanced senior level, in a cohe- sive arrangement. You might also have more than one major.

Minors - A minor course of study is a set of classes, from 15 to 18 credit hours, that is designed to complement and enhance your choice of major. Some college majors require a minor, but typically, the choice of minor is an individual one for each student to consider. A minor can be your oppor- tunity to explore a new subject of interest, or add coursework that enriches your choice of major. Many colleges permit more than one and will identify that minor on the official transcript. ​

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​Predictive Analytics & Admissions - Higher education is now a massive industry with over 20 million students enrolled throughout the country.

Focus on Majors: Peace and Conflict Studies - With the political climate in the United States so divisive at this time, a major that focuses on ways to solve problems peacefully may resonate with you.

Financial Matters: Maximizing Merit Aid - Although many middle-class and upper income families will not qualify for need based aid, they still may find the cost of attendance at most private colleges intimidating.

Current Trends in College Admission - The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) surveys thousands of admission officials at colleges across the U.S. yearly about their admission practices. ​

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7 College Admission Blunders to Avoid - the journey to college will likely go smoother if you avoid making these seven common mistakes.

Focus on Majors - Geology - Fascinated by rocks and minerals and the forces that shape the earth? Geology is an interdisciplinary science that involves not only a study of the physical makeup and history of the earth, but also how humans and other life forms are affected by the earth.

The CSS Profile - About 400 colleges, universities and scholarship programs use a financial aid form, the CSS Profile, in addition to the FAFSA, to gather more information in order to award their own institutional funds to deserving students.

Show Them Some Love - Through both your responses to application questions and your actions (numerous meaningful contacts with that college), you can influence your chances of acceptance at your top college choices. Learn how here.

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Five Career Planning Ideas for High School Students - Many high school students are understandably more focused on getting into college than they are on finding a job after college.

Majoring in Art & Design - Do you have a passion for painting, drawing or designing but feel unsure about how you can turn your love of art into a career?

Financial Matters: Does Attending College Make Financial Sense? - Media stories about the rising cost of a college education and student debt, combined with the lingering economic effects of the recession, have led many people to question whether it still makes financial sense to attend college.

Summer Campus Visits - Is it worth visiting colleges over the summer when school is not in regular session?